Latest news with #StratfordInternational
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Could Stratford replace St Pancras as the gateway to Europe?
The transport tech giant Uber is to take on Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel – but you may need an Uber to reach the departure station in east London. Uber has teamed up with a start-up operator, Gemini Trains, to promote a planned rival service linking London with Paris and Brussels. If the partners are permitted to launch trains to Continental Europe, they will not start from the terminal at St Pancras – but six miles down the track at Stratford International. 'Stratford is actually a bit of a blank canvas,' said Adrian Quine, chief executive of Gemini Trains. 'It's a bit like London City airport as opposed to Heathrow or Gatwick: it's very quick and easy to get through. It's going to be far less crowded, so we think it's a bit of a jewel in the crown.' When the High Speed 1 (HS1) line from London St Pancras International to the Channel was constructed, the suburban station at Stratford was fitted out to handle passengers heading for France and beyond. But it has only ever been used for domestic Southeastern trains using the high-speed track to stations in Kent, with the international facilities lying idle. Mr Quine said: 'Stratford might not be so central as St Pancras, but I think door to door from central London, it's going to be as quick, if not quicker.' Stratford is served by the Elizabeth Line from central London, Heathrow airport and Reading. Two Underground lines – the Central and Jubilee – provide other connections. The London Overground and Greater Anglia operate many trains to and from Stratford. An Uber from central London to the east London station currently costs around £24. Gemini Trains says it will also serve Ebbsfleet in north Kent en route to the Continent. Ebbsfleet, along with Ashford International, was mothballed after a combination of Covid and Brexit led to Eurostar abandoning the Kent stations. Mr Quine said that services from Stratford to Paris Nord and Brussels Midi could begin by 2030. Gemini Trains is one of several contenders aiming to compete with Eurostar, which has had the cross-Channel passenger market to itself since the tunnel opened in 1994. The start-up plans to purchase 10 new trains for the service and promises 'competitive fares on comfortable high-quality and frequent train services between the UK and continental Europe'. The Independent calculates that this relatively small fleet might operate 10 round-trips per day to Paris and a further five to Brussels and back. Mr Quine said it would have two classes; Eurostar has three. Under the marketing agreement, Uber would co-brand the Gemini Trains service and sell tickets through its app. It already sells Eurostar tickets along with domestic rail, and co-brands the Thames Clipper ferry service through London. Andrew Brem, general manager of Uber UK said: 'This collaboration with Gemini Trains is our latest step in how we're helping people get where they want to go. We're excited about the opportunity to bring our brand to the iconic Channel Tunnel journey.' Mr Quine said: 'Innovation and value are at the very heart of what we do so it's really exciting to be teaming up with Uber, an instantly recognisable global brand which has revolutionised the travel industry. Now passengers will be able to enjoy the same value and comfort on brand new 'cutting edge' trains at the touch of a button.' Rob Burgess, founder of the frequent-flyer website Head for Points, said: 'This is arguably a logical step for Uber. It has had success selling Eurostar tickets via its app, because of the 5 per cent cashback it offers, and the Uber Boat branding on the River Thames boat shuttles appears to be successful. 'It seems a win for both sides. Eurostar's brand is strong, the Gemini brand is not. Uber will be a great help here. 'However, there is a long, long way to go before Gemini can get the necessary permissions and get its hands on rolling stock. Uber can pick up some free publicity now without having to worry about delivering anything in the short or even medium term." As well as Gemini Trains, Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Italy's state railway operator FS Italiane Group are hoping to start services from London to Paris. The High Speed 1 line and the Channel Tunnel are both running at about half their capacity. London St Pancras Highspeed, which runs both the terminal station and HS1, says there is the potential for passenger numbers to triple from 11 million to 35 million by 2040. The infrastructure operator's chief executive, Robert Sinclair, told The Independent 's daily travel podcast: 'With competition comes more choice, more destinations, lower fares and lower emissions, so we can see the market really opening up.' His organisation plans to turn much of the St Pancras international arrivals complex into a departure area. Eurostar's general secretary, Gareth Williams, said: 'We support competition and growth through international rail.' But the incumbent has raised concerns about a lack of train depot capacity at Temple Mills, near Stratford.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The London Underground stations and line closures this weekend
With the weekend upon us, it's time to check what planned TfL closures are taking place from Friday, May 2, to Bank Holiday Monday, May 5. As with most weekends, some stations will be closed or partly closed for TfL to carry out essential work. We've broken down a list of all the work on the London Underground, Overground and Elizabeth Line this weekend to ensure you don't get caught out and can plan ahead. To get the most up-to-date stats for the Underground, you can use the TfL app or website. Welcome to the @GoogleUK Tube Challenge – we hope you have a pleasant journey! 🚇 Tap in with Google Pay each day to earn digital station badges, and for a chance to win a Google Pixel 9 phone or Santander Cycles Day Passes. Find out more 👇 — TfL (@TfL) March 31, 2025 Suffragette: Monday 28, Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30 April, Thursday 1 and Friday 2 May, the 2303 train from Barking Riverside will terminate at Upper Holloway instead of Gospel Oak. Windrush: Monday 28, Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30 April and Thursday 1 May, from 2330 each evening, no service between New Cross Gate and West Croydon / Crystal Palace. Circle: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May, no service between Edgware Road and Tower Hill (via Victoria). District: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May, no service between Edgware Road / Embankment and Kensington (Olympia) / Wimbledon / Richmond / Ealing Broadway. DLR: Saturday 3, Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Canning Town and Stratford International. Saturday 3, Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Westferry / Poplar and Lewisham. Lioness: Saturday 3 May, after 2030, a reduced timetable will run between Watford Junction and Euston. Piccadilly: Saturday 3 May, from 0100 until 0700, no service between Hyde Park Corner and Acton Town. Waterloo and City: The service operates between 0600 and 0030, Monday to Friday only. There is no service on Saturdays, Sundays, or bank/public holidays. Bakerloo: Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Queens Park and Harrow & Wealdstone. Circle: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May, no service between Edgware Road and Tower Hill (via Victoria). District: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May, no service between Edgware Road / Embankment and Kensington (Olympia) / Wimbledon / Richmond / Ealing Broadway. DLR: Saturday 3, Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Canning Town and Stratford International. Saturday 3, Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Westferry / Poplar and Lewisham. Elizabeth Line: Sunday 4 May, from 0740, a reduced service operates between Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 4 / Maidenhead. This #PrioritySeatingWeek, we've launched new priority seating on our Elizabeth line trains 💺 💜 The new priority seat badge and moquette colours will improve the visibility of priority seating so customers can feel more empowered when travelling on our network. Have you… — TfL (@TfL) April 29, 2025 Sunday 4 May, between 0040 and 0740, no service between Paddington and Ealing Broadway, also affecting GWR services. Lioness: Sunday 4 May, no service between Euston and Watford Junction. Suffragette: Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Barking and Barking Riverside, use local bus routes EL1, EL2 and EL3. Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday 5 May, a reduced service operates between Gospel Oak and Barking. Waterloo & City: Service operates between 06:00 and 00:30, Monday to Friday only. There is no service on Saturdays, Sundays or bank/public holidays. Windrush: Sunday 4 May after 21:00 no service between Highbury & Islington and Clapham Junction, Crystal Palace, New Cross and West Croydon. Bakerloo: Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Queens Park and Harrow & Wealdstone. DLR: Saturday 3, Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Canning Town and Stratford International. Saturday 3, Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Westferry / Poplar and Lewisham. Elizabeth Line: Monday 5, Tuesday 6, Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 May, the 2217 Abbey Wood to Reading train will terminate at Maidenhead. Recommended Reading The unknown London Underground rule that could leave you with a hefty fine Posters to go up on the Elizabeth Line to cover up 'ghost' marks The unwritten rules of the London Underground you must know Lioness: Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Euston and Willesden Junction. Suffragette: Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May, no service between Barking and Barking Riverside, use local bus routes EL1, EL2 and EL3. Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday 5 May, a reduced service operates between Gospel Oak and Barking. Trains will arrive at and depart from platform 1 at Barking. Waterloo & City: Service operates between 06:00 and 00:30, Monday to Friday only. There is no service on Saturdays, Sundays or bank/public holidays.
Time Out
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
London travel disruption this weekend: train and tube closures for April 25-27
Over 50,000 people will be flocking to London this Sunday April 27 to take part in this year's London Marathon, and the streets will be packed with supporters with wry signs and energy-boosting snacks. We love to see the city alive with sporty people and their pals, but if your idea of a well-spent weekend doesn't involve watching other people get some serious Strava stats, there's plenty more to do: why not check out the Queer East film festival, or Lewisham's Books in the Park? 📍 The best things to do in London this weekend. No matter what you get up to, all those extra bodies sprinting through the city are going to have an impact on your journey, with central London trains and tubes likely to be heaving. What are the closures and disruption affecting London's network this weekend? Let's get into it. London April 25-27 tube and train closures – full list Waterloo and City line There will be minor delays on Friday April 25 due to train shortages, and the line will be closed as usual over the rest of the weekend (April 26 and 27). Elizabeth line On Sunday April 27, service will be reduced between Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 4 / Maidenhead, with no trains serving Acton Main Line, West Ealing or Hanwell. There will be two trains per hour serving Heathrow Terminal 4, Heathrow Terminal 5, West Drayton, Langley, Slough, Burnham and Maidenhead, and four trains per hour serving Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3. Six trains per hour will serve Ealing Broadway, Southall and Hayes & Harlington. DLR Thanks to the marathon, there'll be a modified service on the DLR on Sunday 27 until 4pm. Cutty Sark station will be entry only, so if you want to access Greenwich town centre you'll need to get off at Greenwich instead. The first train from Tower Gateway to Lewisham will be earlier than usual, at 5.30am, and all other services on Sunday will start at 7am. Trains to and from Beckton will terminate at Poplar. Trains to and from Woolwich Arsenal will only go to and from Stratford International. Other stations are likely to be busy throughout the day. London Overground Suffragette line On Friday April 25, the 6.18am service from Barking Riverside to Gospel Oak will depart from platform 1 at Barking station at 6.24am instead.
